Maple Grove moves forward with new FedEx center

Considers next stage in Bottineau Ridge project

The Maple Grove City Council approved the concept and development stage plan for the FedEx Smartpost during its Monday, March 4 meeting.

The council also considered the next steps in the Bottineau Ridge apartment project as well as the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for a second Goodwill store location within the city.

Also, the council purchased some land that will be part of the future Highway 610 right-of-way.

Here are some of the meeting’s highlights.

FEDEX SMARTPOST

Community Development Director Dick Edwards said the applicant was asking the council for approval of a planned unit development (PUD) concept and development stage plan approvals. The project would include the construction of a 276,000-square-foot single-story package sort and distribution facility. The project will be located south of 85th Avenue (Weaver Lake Road) and east of Revere Lane. Access would be from two points off of Revere Lane, one for employees and other for truck-trailer only.

The facility would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This building would not be open to the public.

Edwards added the building would be secured and gated. All truck traffic would enter at the south entrance, past a guardhouse and onto the site.

This building is estimated to house 330 employees.

“There will be a small berm with ample evergreen vegetation planted,” Edwards said. “There are over 170 trees planted on this site, so its going to be very, very well landscaped.”

The council first approved unanimously directing staff to draft an ordinance to rezone the property from R-A, single-family agricultural to PUD, subject to the filing of the final plat.

Second, the council unanimously approved directing the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the PUD concept and development stage plan, including all site plan components of FedEx Smartpost Maple Grove, subject to conditions.

This project is scheduled to begin construction this summer according FedEx representative Tim Elam.

BOTTINEAU RIDGE

Also up for discussion was the planned unit development (PUD) development stage plan for the Bottineau Ridge Apartments. This development would be located west of Hemlock Lane and north of Arbor Lakes Parkway and the Arbor Lakes Senior Living building.

Mayor Mark Steffenson stepped down for discussion as he had a conflict with the project.

Community Development Director Edwards said the request before the council was for the first phase of a multi-family residential project, which will eventually consist of two 50-unit buildings. The first phase (before the council) would consist of a three-story 50-unit rental building. The second phase would be forthcoming at a future unknown date.

The project will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities in the building will include a site office, business center, community room, exercise room and car wash. The exterior space includes a barbeque area. A secured tot lot for children would be located on the west side of the building. The project will also have surface parking as well as underground parking in a garage for residents.

Edwards said the site will have access through 80th Avenue on the west, which will terminate as a public street at a new cul-de-sac. There would also be a right-in, right-out access point at Hemlock Lane.

Councilor Jaeger asked, “At the entrance, are these two sidewalks going into a path?” Edwards said the sidewalks are going to a path, and there is access to a patio for residents.

The council approved 4 to 0 both directing staff to draft an ordinance to rezone the property from R-A, single-family agricultural to PUD district, subject to the filing of the final plat, as well as directing the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the PUD development stage plan for Bottineau Apartments, subject to several conditions. Mayor Steffenson abstained.

GOODWILL PROJECT BONDS

Finance Director Jim Knutson presented the council with a request from Goodwill Industries, which wants to issue $4.2 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for the acquisition, construction and equipping of a 20,600-square-foot retail store. This is the second Goodwill location within the city, to be located at 13605 80th Circle N.

Knutson said cities can lend their name as a tax-exempt entity to revenue bonds with no financial obligation to the city.

Since the city has exceeded its issuance of bonds, it has asked the city of Osseo to issue the tax-exempt bonds for the project. Knutson added the council was asked to give host city approval for the issuance of a tax-exempt revenue bond to the city of Osseo for the acquisition, construction and equipping of the Goodwill Industries retail store in Maple Grove.

The council then adopted giving host approval to the issuance of commercial development revenue note for the Goodwill Industries, Inc. project.

HWY. 610 RIGHT-OF-WAY

The council also approved a purchase agreement for 17055 105th Ave. N. This parcel of land was recently put up for sale after being foreclosed.

This area of land is also part of the future Highway 610 project, located in the right-of-way for the future extension of 105th Avenue over Interstate 94.

City staff negotiated a sale price with the seller for $253,000. This is lower than the advertised listing price of $269,900.

By purchasing the property now, the city can avoid having to displace a future homeowner.

ADOPTED ordering the 2013 street rehabilitation program. This year’s program includes three areas: Shadow Creek (north of Weaver Lake Road, east of Weaver Lake Elementary), Cobblestone Hills (west of Troy Lane, south of 87th Place N. and north of 82nd Place N.) and 89th Avenue (County Road 101 to Dunkirk Lane). Each of the 488 units within the three areas will each be assessed $4,225.

ORDERED the Highgrove 3rd Addition area street and utility project, received the survey and ordered plans. The 206 units within the project will each be assessed $15,735. These costs include public street and utilities as well as trunk assessments.